Though key-fob storage devices have been available ever since the first thumbdrives were made years ago, LaCie is now turning this design into a new novelty with the RuggedKey.

This new little flash-based storage device is basically a regular USB thumbdrive that is shaped like a key and comes with a keyring. The RuggedKey, however, differentiates itself from the rest of the crowd by being the second I've reviewed that supports USB 3.0 (the first being the Lexar Triton), and coming with an easily removable rubber cover that adds both style and high-level protection.

In my testing, the RuggedKey was fast, too, which is always the most important thing when it comes to a storage device. The RuggedKey also comes with a good bundle of software utilities, making it an excellent compact storage device despite the relatively high cost of $40 for 16GB (or $70 for 32GB). If you want something of similar physical size and performance but with up to 64GB of storage space, I also recommend the Lexar Triton.

One of the reasons I am not really a fan of keyfob USB thumbdrives is the risk that mine would scratch other devices, such as a smartphone, when I keep them together in my pocket. Or the USB drive itself would be scratched up by the real keys on the ring. With the LaCie RuggedKey drive, that's not a worry anymore, thanks to its thick protective case.

When in use, this case, made of a tough, rubbery material, turns the drive into a cylindrical object about the size of a stick of lip balm that's both good-looking and rugged. The case prevents dust and water from contacting the drive's USB head and keeps the thumbdrive inside safe from outside impacts.

In my trials, the drive easily survived multiple drops after I tossed it straight up in the air. LaCie says that the RuggedKey has been tested and has survived drops from 100 meters (about 330 feet), which I didn't find surprising after spending some time with the drive. What I didn't expect, however, is that the case doesn't help the drive stay afloat. I put it in a bathtub and it sank pretty fast. The drive on the inside was nice and dry, though.

Note that generally, USB thumbdrives can handle water submersion very well, even when they have no protective case; they'll often work again as long as you wait till they are completely drive before plugging them into a computer, but a little extra protection doesn't hurt, either.

The LaCie Private-Public software takes a long time to create a new secure partition, despite its short estimate.
Screenshot by Dong Ngo/CNET

The RuggedKey's case can be easily pulled off (and put back on), revealing the actual thumbdrive, which looks just like any other thumbdrive: about the size of a regular house key with the USB male port at one end. The RuggedKey's port supports USB 3.0 and also works with USB 2.0 and the legacy original USB ports.

About The Author

CNET editor Dong Ngo has been involved with technology since 2000, starting with testing gadgets and writing code for CNET Labs' benchmarks. He now manages CNET San Francisco Labs, reviews 3D printers, networking/storage devices, and also writes about other topics from online security to new gadgets and how technology impacts the life of people around the world.